The addendum to his contract contained a clause that meant the Belgian sprinter would have to pay five years salary should he test positive for banned substances in a doping test.

Katusha director sportif Jef Braeckevelt said the move was “good for both parties”, acknowledging that “Gert never wanted to sign the anti-doping charter.” Something that disappointed his team management enough to put him on the inactive list forcing Steegmans to miss the Tour de France.

Shortly after news about the anti-doping charter came out, it was announced that Christian Pfannberger had tested positive for EPO in an out of competition drug test.

After a dismal season due to a back injury that caused the Belgian to lose power in his leg, finding a contract with the same financial terms as Katusha will be challenging.